New Zealand cricketer Henry Nicholls emphasized the increasing significance of the ongoing ODI series against India, given the limited opportunities for one-day cricket between major tournaments. With the next 50-over World Cup still 22 months away, discussions about the format’s relevance have resurfaced, especially with the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 capturing most attention.
“As you mentioned, there is less one-day cricket between major events, which makes these series even more crucial,” Nicholls stated to the media ahead of the second ODI against the ‘Men in Blue.’ The match is set to take place on Wednesday at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.
“A few of us have been playing List-A cricket back home, so we’ve got some experience with the format. It’s one we genuinely enjoy, and with fewer series available, their importance has definitely increased,” he added.
When asked about the challenges of facing renowned players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Nicholls acknowledged the difficulty. “Competing against such experienced players is always a challenge, especially for a young group like ours. Experiencing that firsthand in the first game, particularly from a bowling perspective, was insightful. Finding ways to put pressure on those seasoned players is key,” he remarked.
The 34-year-old cricketer also noted that if the team can take wickets, they can effectively put pressure on the opposition, even as a relatively inexperienced squad.
As they prepare for the second match, the ‘Black Caps’ will be counting on middle-order batsman Daryl Mitchell to continue his fine form. He previously scored an impressive 84 runs off 71 balls, including five fours and three sixes.